JournalismPakistan.com
June 28, 2017

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Wednesday denied it had instructed television channels not to air news or comments about the recent terrorist attacks in Parachinar.

PEMRA said in a media release a few TV channels were airing this fake news that the regulator had barred them from reporting and commenting on the attacks.

“At a time when the country is going through tragic incidents, irresponsible handling of sensitive issues by certain TV channels is a blatant violation of National Action Plan and PEMRA Code of Conduct,” the release said.

It said “knowingly or unknowingly, these TV channels are serving the nefarious interests of the terrorists and enemies of this country.”

PEMRA condemned such “irresponsible handling of news” and said it could inflame sectarian misunderstanding.

It warned the erring channels to refrain from airing fake news.